Policy Changes

Community Transition Expansion

Funding is provided for 100 community residential placements in State Operted Living Alternatives (SOLAs).

Community Respite Beds

Overnight Planned Respite Services (OPRS) for adults, and Enhanced Respite Services (ERS) for children, are expanded by six beds each. An increase in the daily rate for existing beds from $374 to $450-$550 for ERS and from $350-$448 to $400-$510 for OPRS is also provided starting July 1, 2019.

Children's SOLA

Funding is provided to add two new children's State Operated Living Alternative (SOLA) homes on the west side of the state to serve children age 20 and younger. These children are no longer eligible for Residential Habilitation Center (RHC) admission and are not able to successfully transition to out-of-home residential placement because suitable community options do not exist. These SOLA homes will house six children in King and Pierce counties.

Supported Living Investigators

Fee authority is provided for supported living providers sufficient to cover oversight and investigation costs for clients residing in supported living settings. Provider rates are increased to cover the cost of the fee, which is eligible for federal matching funds, resulting in a net General Fund-State savings when combining the Developmental Disabilities Administration and Aging and Long-Term Support Administration.

RHC Compliance

Funding is provided to hire staff to meet requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) concerning continuous, aggressive active treatment in all intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Electronic Visit Verification

Funding is provided to comply with the federal "21st Century Cures Act," which requires states to implement an Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) system by January 1, 2020 or receive a federal match rate reduction that escalates from 0.25 percent in 2020 up to one percent by 2024. An EVV system will electronically report and verify information about the delivery of personal care services, such as the date and time, service type and location.

Targeted Vendor Rate Increase

This funding increases certain contracted provider rates to maintain client access and choice and to promote cost-efficient delivery of care across the entire system. The increases are for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and critical nursing services.

Adult Family Homes Award/Agreement

Funding is provided for a wage and benefit increase to workers who provide in-home personal care services and are employed by private agencies. The increase corresponds to the salary and wage component of the in-home care agreement for individual providers.

In-Home Care Providers Agreement

Funding is provided for an agreement with individual providers of in-home personal care services, which includes increases to the wage scale; increases in contributions to the health care, training and retirement trusts; and an increase in paid time off.

Agency Provider Parity

Funding is provided for a wage and benefit increase to workers who provide in-home personal care services and are employed by private agencies. The increase corresponds to the salary and wage component of the in-home care agreement for individual providers.

BH: Group Training Homes

Funding is provided for 14 group training home beds. This item is part of the Governor's statewide behavioral health reform package.

Enhance Community Residential Rate

Funding is provided to increase the rate for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) community residential service providers including supported living, group homes, and licensed staffed residential homes. The rates across geographic classifications will increase by 10 percent effective January 1, 2020, and by an additional 10 percent, effective January 1, 2021.

Leased Facilities One-Time Costs

One-time funding is provided for costs related to relocation and projects to support the DSHS Six-Year Facilities Plan and to support 145 offices and client service centers statewide.

State Public Employee Benefits Rate

Health insurance funding is provided for state employees who are not represented by a union, who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination, or who are not part of the coalition of unions for health benefits. The insurance funding rate is $977 per employee per month for fiscal year 2020 and $978 per employee per month for fiscal year 2021.

WFSE General Government

Funding is provided for a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington Federation of State Employees - General Government. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019; a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020; premium, shift, and other special pay changes, and increases in targeted job classifications. Employee insurance included in the agreement is displayed in a separate item.

State Rep Employee Benefits Rate

This provides health insurance funding as part of the master agreements for employees who bargain for health benefits as part of a coalition of unions. The insurance funding rate is $977 per employee per month for fiscal year 2020 and $978 per employee per month for fiscal year 2021.

Coalition of Unions

Funding is provided for a collective bargaining agreement with the Coalition of Unions. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019; a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020; increases in premium pay and increases in targeted job classifications. Employee insurance included in the agreement is displayed in a separate item.

Non-Rep General Wage Increase

Funding is provided for wage increases for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. It is sufficient for a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019, and a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020. This item includes both general government and higher education workers.

Non-Rep Premium Pay

Funding is provided for increases in premium pay for state employees who are not represented by a union or who are covered by a bargaining agreement that is not subject to financial feasibility determination. Funding is sufficient to support changes in shift differential, call back and standby pay, as well as a 5 percent increase for employees working in King County.

Non-Rep Targeted Pay Increases

Funding is provided for classified state employees who are not represented by a union for pay increases in specific job classes in alignment with other employees.

SEIU 1199 General Government

Funding is provided for a collective bargaining agreement with the Service Employees’ International Union Local 1199 NW. The agreement includes a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2019; a general wage increase of 3 percent, effective July 1, 2020; premium pay changes; and increases in targeted job classifications. Employee insurance included in the agreement is displayed in a separate item.

Orca Transit Pass - Outside CBAs

This funds transit passes (ORCA cards) for state employees (outside of higher education) in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, other than those in certain collective bargaining agreements.

PERS & TRS Plan 1 Benefit Increase

For eligible Public Employees' and Teachers' Retirement Systems Plan 1 members, this item provides a one-time, ongoing increase of 3 percent, up to a maximum of $62.50 per month.

Non-Rep Salary Schedule Revision

This funds a revised salary schedule for non-represented employees in information technology jobs, in alignment with other state employees.

State Tax - Wellness Gift Card

Some employees are eligible to earn a $25 gift card after completing a health risk assessment. This item provides funding to agencies to pay the employer's share of Social Security and Medicare taxes on gift cards for additional employees who are eligible for the gift cards.

Orca Transit Pass Funding Transfer

This moves funding for employee transit passes from agencies to WSDOT, which administers the program. The transfer includes both funding added in 2019-21 for expanded access, as well as funding that was provided in the 2017-19 budget.

Health Coalition FSA Fund Transfer

This moves funding for negotiated medical flexible spending arrangements (FSA) from individual agency budgets. It will be provided to the Health Care Authority, which will administer the benefit.